Macmillan responds to EEC committee report 2010

30 March 2010

Responding to the Energy and Climate Change Committee report into Fuel Poverty, Mike Hobday, Head of Campaigns, said:

'We are really pleased the Committee recognises the particular needs of cancer patients, as paying fuel bills is one of the biggest worries for many of them. In fact, one in five people undergoing cancer treatment are currently living in fuel poverty. (1)

'We strongly urge the next Government to take this issue seriously by following the report’s recommendations and granting cancer patients full access to the social price support that energy companies will have to offer by 2011.'

ENDS

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Notes to Editors:

Why cancer patients struggle with fuel bills

People tell Macmillan they feel colder due to the effects of cancer treatment, they turn the heating up and then receive higher fuel bills, often when their household income has dropped because they cannot work.

1. 9.6% of the general (non vulnerable) population are in fuel poverty, Department of Energy and Climate Change fuel poverty statistics, 2009. 20% of cancer patients in active treatment are in fuel poverty, Macmillan Cancer Support Online survey of 974 people with cancer, May 2009.

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Macmillan Cancer Support, registered charity in England and Wales (261017), Scotland (SC039907) and the Isle of Man (604). A company limited by guarantee, registered in England and Wales company number 2400969. Isle of Man company number 4694F. Registered office: 89 Albert Embankment, London SE1 7UQ.